A new hall in the name of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation at Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Bethlehem.

Mrs. Tanya Sfeir, Founder and President of “A Child, A Promise” Foundation, announced that a new music hall in the name of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, will be inaugurated at Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Bethlehem.

This was announced on the occasion of the charity dinner organized by “A Child, A Promise” Foundation in support of its efforts to ensure Palestinian children’s right to education in Palestine and in refugee camps abroad. The event took place on Thursday, October 28, 2010, evening at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mrs. Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder and Director of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, Mrs. Tanya Sfeir, Founder and President of “A Child, A Promise” Foundation, a number of representatives of educational institutions in Palestine, numerous supporters of the foundation, key figures of the Emirati society as well as Palestinian and Arab communities residing in the country.

H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, commended the Arab artists’ commitment to supporting humanitarian causes in general and Palestinian children’s good and wellbeing in particular. He added, “I am extremely pleased to see this great interest, and this unbelievable brotherly support, in staging events that back up the efforts of community organizations in favor of Palestinian children, whether in Abu Dhabi or in the United Arab Emirates in general.”

H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, expressed his appreciation of the great talents of Arab artists Abir Nasrawi, Aisha Redouane, Macadi Nahas, Yola Khalife as well as renowned media presenter Zahi Wehbe who have come to Abu Dhabi to perform at the event “Salam Ya Quds”. This event was organized by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation in collaboration with “A Child, A Promise” Foundation.

H.E. announced, “Their participation is a great honor for us. We salute their commitment to and interest in the conditions and well being of Palestinian children”. He thanked Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and its founder Mrs. Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo in particular for their initiative in organizing this event. He expressed his sincere admiration in the work and activities undertaken by this foundation with the aim of improving the daily lives of children around the world.

H.E. mentioned that the work of all those contributing in the events supporting the efforts of “A Child, A Promise” Foundation in Abu Dhabi will bring everybody together behind one humanitarian cause: “These events aim to contribute to increasing our awareness of the difficult situations faced by our children in Palestine. Moreover, they heighten everybody’s awareness of the role they have to play in supporting the right of these children to lead, as any other children in the world, a decent and stable life that lights the way to a better and safer tomorrow.”

H.E. concluded by saying that “these events confirm once again the growing position of Abu Dhabi as a main culture and arts center. Furthermore, they reflect very clearly the good attributes of the community of Abu Dhabi which has always shown support, compassion and commitment to providing a safe life for our brothers and sisters in Palestine.”

From her side, Mrs. Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder and Director of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, expressed how pleased she was with the performers who have accepted the invitation and have come to join forces with the children of Palestine. She also confirmed Palestinian children’s right to live in security and peace, and that the real reward for the advocates of Palestinian children’s right to education is the smile as well as the innocent twinkle in the eyes of a child. There can be no promising peace unless through them and for them”.

Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo said, “I wish that we could all stand by them, for today and tomorrow, because it is us who need them, who need this determination blazing in their eyes and our fathers’ pride in their souls. Perhaps we could learn from them.”

She concluded by saying, “I wish we can all support their right to education, to a decent life, their right to Palestine the dream, their right to an unfading smile, that of childhood.”

Also, a number of representatives of educational institutions in Palestine- Dr. Rami Hamdallah from An-Najah National university, Professor Gaby Bramki from Birzeit University and Dr. Hassan Doueik from the University of Jerusalem - spoke during the event whose proceeds were donated to “A Child, A Promise” Foundation in Palestine.